"Quito Day 2: Sunset Alleys, Rooftop Dinners, and Lavender Whispers"

 




Quito Day 2 – A Day That Gently Glowed in Stillness

🕔 05:00–07:00 | Greeting the Sunrise at Itchimbía Park

Under the shade of a eucalyptus tree, where birdsong clears the mind, I spread out the picnic mat I had brought. Sitting atop the hill in Itchimbía Park, overlooking Quito’s old town, I quietly inhaled in a meditative posture. The morning sunlight landed transparently on every drop of dew resting on the brown and green leaves, and the soft mist that wrapped around my feet spread in all directions like ripples on a lake.

🕖 07:00–09:00 | A Simple Breakfast in the Garden of Casa Gangotena

Sunlight twinkled around the garden fountain, and a kitten that looked young and well-acquainted with human hands appeared for just a blink before disappearing, only to be seen again. On the table, a single lilac blossom was placed in an elegant white ceramic vase. I enjoyed a soup made from Andes potatoes and spread apricot jam on homemade yuca bread. A glass of passion fruit juice at the end added a refreshing finish.

🕘 09:00–11:00 | Private Moments at the National Museum

At Museo Nacional with a curator, the Inca golden mask revealed an overwhelming presence through its glowing shape and weight in the quiet exhibition room.
It was a scene from the exhibition that felt like time travel.

🕚 11:00–13:00 | Chocolate Tasting at the Famous República del Cacao

In front, the fountain of 'Plaza Grande' sparkled in the sunlight,
and I took a seat at the edge of the third-floor balcony to savor a floral blend hot chocolate.
The lavender aroma lingered in my mouth,
and the truffle made with premium cacao added a crisp touch of reality.

🕐 13:00–15:00 | Michelin-Level Lunch at Zazu

The restaurant was decorated with orange-toned murals and pale gray fabric sofas.
The dish I ordered was an elegant plate of scallop tartare topped with micro herbs, followed by duck breast served with a refined red wine sauce.
The scent of herbs and the depth of the wine sauce left a lingering aroma in the dish.

🕒 15:00–17:00 | A Nap-Like Rest at Plaza Grande Spa

Under the aroma of rosemary candles, I received eucalyptus steam while gentle Andean folk music played in the background.
A hot volcanic stone massage was applied slowly along my spine, and I drifted in and out of sleep, deepening the relaxation.

🕔 17:00–19:00 | Meeting Artisans in La Ronda Alley

At La Ronda Street, I sampled bergamot blend and rosemary-rose scents at the perfume shop ‘Aroma de Quito,’ and at the silver craft shop ‘Manos de Plata,’ I discovered a moon-shaped necklace and a duck-shaped necklace.
A gentle breeze carried the lingering scent while the street musicians’ guitar melodies flowed, and the alley was soaked in the sunset like orange flower petals spreading through the air.

🕖 19:00–21:00 | Dinner on the Rooftop at El Ventanal

From the terrace, I could see a large statue of the Virgin Mary, and the white wine in the large glass on the table shimmered transparently under the candlelight.
I slowly enjoyed Ecuadorian traditional dishes rich with herbal flavors, and the potato gratin and beef carpaccio were especially memorable.
I also packed some beef carpaccio and salmon salad in a small clear bag to give to the cat I had seen in front of the hotel that morning.

🕘 21:00–23:00 | A Half-Bath with Lavender Salt

When I called the cat outside, the one I had seen in the morning came toward me. I went to a secluded spot where no one could see and unpacked the dinner I had brought from the rooftop. What I thought was one cat turned out to be several. They seemed used to human touch, letting me pet them again and again as they happily ate the food I had brought.
After spending a gentle moment with the cats under the streetlight, I returned to the hotel and filled the tub with rosemary, sea salt, and dried lavender leaves.
I connected my mini Bluetooth speaker to a panpipe performance from the Andes I found online. The candlelight cast shadows that danced across the walls to the rhythm of the flute, swaying with the breeze.

🕚 23:00–00:00 | A Silent Whisper, a Conversation with Quito

In the cloudless, still night sky, the moon shone even clearer and brighter. The cool, crisp wind gently tickled the silk curtains, and before I knew it, I had pulled the blanket up to my nose.
Quietly, in my heart, I whispered, “I had a lovely day again today, Quito.”

Location: 에콰도르 키토

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